Competencies Needed for Statistics Leadership from an International Perspective

• Activity Number: 237
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 10, 2015 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Social Statistics Section
• Author(s): Motomi Mori*
• Companies: Oregon Health & Science University
• Keywords: women in statistics ; leadership ; cultural diversity ; cultural competencies

Abstract

According to the National Foundation for American Policy report "The Importance of International Students to America" (July 2013), almost 45% of the graduate students are international students in mathematics and statistics. So it is not surprising that statistics is a culturally diverse profession. Increasingly this is also reflected in the composition of the faculty in statistics and biostatistics departments. These observations point to the importance of cultural diversity awareness as a key component of leadership in statistics and biostatistics. In particular, women face even more difficult challenges because in most cultures women are expected to take a subservient role. To be a woman leader in statistics and biostatistics, we have additional hurdles to overcome. Unfortunately the majority of graduate programs do not teach us how to be good managers, mentors or leaders, and nor the importance of cultural sensitivities. In this presentation, I will share lessons learned from my own experience and in the process of writing the book chapter, and hopefully these events will echo some of the experiences of our audience as well as be helpful in their career advancement.